Drone based security system

ABSTRACT

A drone security system with at least a drone and a drone base having been setup with locations that are part of a tradition security systems and where the traditional security system is in communication with drone base enabling the drone to respond to events that occur in the traditional security system and for the drone to also follow a predetermined path with checkpoints.

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application62/452,842, titled Drone Based Security System, by Albert Williams,filed on Jan. 31, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein.

II. FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a security system and, in particular, a dronebased security system.

III. BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a security system and, in particular, a dronebased security system. Security is important in today's society. It isvery crucial to protect people, loved ones and/or their property.Technological advances in security systems continues to be important inprotecting society against theft, robberies, crimes and attacks. Whilecertain technology can be used to prevent crime, current technologiesand other means for monitoring and preventing crime have limitations.More practical solutions are needed for today's security systems.

Security systems are generally of two types: security guards andmonitoring systems—both of which have extreme limitations. Real-timemonitoring by security guards is costly. Security guards havelimitations on where they can travel, how fast they can respond toparticular situations and how far and how fast they can pursue criminalactivity.

Monitoring systems can record activity, alert owners and responders ofunusual activity and trigger alarms; however, such systems cannot trackactivity, follow objects or perform other functions that may beperformed by live security surveillance.

One solution to the current limitations of security systems is toutilize unmanned aerial vehicle technology to improve security. However,the use of unmanned aerial vehicles must rely on manually operateddrones. Manually operated drones have problems that include the need fora person to be present to control the flight pattern of the drone, tophysically gather the drone, to physically connect the drone to a powersource and to manually observe the drone to prevent it from crashing. Ahuman drone operator can also be costly. Accordingly, a need exists foran automated security system capable of performing functions not able tobe performed by live security guards, electronic monitoring and alarmsystems, manually operated drones and/or a combination of any of theforegoing.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

No existing security systems utilize pre-programmed, fully automateddrones to perform monitoring, alerting or other security or surveillancetasks. There are significant differences between what drones can do andwhat existing security systems can do. A guard will stop following anobject but a drone will not. A guard does not record video and audio orcarry an alarm but a drone does. The drone has a large advantage in theview it has over its surrounding area.

The pre-programmed, fully automated drone of the present invention alsosolves many problems that occur with manually operated drones. Forexample, the automatic drone may be programmed to follow apre-determined flight path at predetermined or random time intervals,return to its base without manual instruction, connect to a power sourceupon landing in the base for charging, sense obstacles and avoid themduring flight, and provide lower operating costs than manually operateddrones.

Further, the security drone of the present invention may be used frommany types of applications, including both commercial and residentialapplications. For example, a farmer can use the drone to performsecurity over his/her agriculture, a home owner can use the securitydrone to protect his house while on vacation or out of the home, and thedrone can further be used for security at a construction site, or forbuilding security, to name a few examples.

In operation, the security drone of the present invention replaces thetraditional security guard, or in some cases, for extra securitymeasures, can be used in conjunction with a security guard. Theadvantages of the security drone are that it provides continuous livevideo and audio feed and recordings, quicker reaction time to alerts,and reduced costs over traditional security guards. It also reduces therisks placed on a security guard when responding to the threat. Further,the property owner or end user can be made aware of the circumstancessurrounding an event in real-time because the security drone caninstantly be deployed from the base in response to activation of one ofthe components of the existing security system. Generally, a drone canreach a security breach or respond to an alert much quicker than asecurity guard can travel on the ground to respond. The likelihood ofrecording crucial activity and following breach events and/or intrudersis greater with an automated drone than with a standard security systemor security guard.

Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages ofthe invention are or will become apparent to one with skill in the artupon examination of the following figures and detailed description. Itis intended that all such additional systems, methods, features andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The invention may be better understood by referring to the followingfigures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one example of components of adrone designed in accordance with an example implementation of theinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of example of components of a basefor powering, storing and communicating with a drone designed inaccordance with an example implementation of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the drone base of FIG. 2 with a plurality ofdoors 306-310 in accordance with an example implementation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a smart device in accordance withan example implementation of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a graphical user interface displayed on the smartdevice of FIG. 4 in accordance with an example implementation of theinvention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical user interface displayed on a smartdevice of FIG. 4 for setting a predetermined flight path in accordancewith an example implementation of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a graphical user interface displayed on a smartdevice of FIG. 4 for monitoring the drone status in accordance with anexample implementation of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a graphical user interface displayed on a smartdevice of FIG. 4 for alerts in accordance with an example implementationof the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a graphical user interface displayed on a smartdevice of FIG. 4 for the drone security settings in accordance with anexample implementation of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a graphical user interface displayed on a smartdevice of FIG. 4 for control of the drone manually in accordance with anexample implementation of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of the approach of operation of asecurity drone in accordance with an example implementation of theinvention.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A pre-programed, automated drone based security system is provided thatmay be used in connection with a variety of commercial and residentialapplications. As will be explained further below, the security drone ofthe present invention may perform a variety of automated functions, beprogrammed to follow a pre-determined flight path at predetermined orrandom time intervals, return to its base without manual instruction,connect to a power source upon landing in the base for charging andsense obstacles and avoid them during flight, among other things.

In FIG. 1, an illustration of a block diagram 100 of one example ofcomponents of a drone 102 is depicted in accordance with an exampleimplementation of the invention. As illustrated, the drone 102 includesa control unit 104, which may include a processor 112, a radio module108, and a power unit 106. The processor 112 may include a memory 114and a navigation unit (such as a GPS receiver), and sufficientprocessing power to conduct various control and computing operations forcontrolling the drone 102 and drone subsystems. The processor 112 may bepowered from a power unit 106, such as a battery. The processor 112 maybe configured with processor-executable instructions (stored in memory114) to control the charging of the power unit from a remote source,such as by executing a charging control algorithm using a charge controlcircuit associated with the power unit 106. Alternatively oradditionally, the power unit 106 may be configured to manage chargingindependent of the processor 112. The processor 112 may be coupled to amotor control unit 126 that is configured to manage the motors thatdrive the rotors.

Through control of the individual motors of the rotors on the drone, thedrone may be controlled in flight. The processor 112 may receive inputfrom the navigation unit 116 to determine its present position andorientation, including the position of a landing point. In someimplementations, the navigation unit 116 may be equipped to navigateusing GPS/GNSS signals. Alternatively or in addition, the navigationunit 116 may be equipped to navigate by receiving beacon signals orother signals from radio nodes, such as WiFi access points.

The navigation unit 116 may obtain location information associated withthe WiFi access points without actually establishing a communicationlink with the WiFi access point. A gyro/accelerometer unit may also beprovided to generate relative position information about the threedimensional orientation and movement of the drone 102 and may be used tosupplement positional information to facilitate navigation independentof or in association with GPS/GNSS receiver.

The processor 112 may communicate wirelessly with a device, such as asmart phone, computer, tablet, or drone base, through a radio module.The processor 112 may also communicate with a network node, such as aWiFi access point or hotspot, a cellular network infrastructurecomponent, or a server. Communications may be direct or throughintermediate communication links, such as one or more network nodes orother communication devices. The radio module 108 may be configured toswitch between cellular and WiFi connections and even maintain multipleconnections. Further, bi-directional wireless communications may beestablished between transmit/receive antenna of the radio module 108 inthe drone 102 and a transmit/receive antenna of the other communicationdevice. The drone 102 may also include a GPS/GNSS receiver 116configured to receive GNSS signals from positioning satellites anddetermine geographic coordinates from those signals. The radio module108 may further be coupled to the navigation unit 116 and configured toreceive navigation signals, such as beacon signals from an aviationnavigation facility, and provide such signals to the processor 112 toassist in drone navigation.

The drone 102 may be implemented within a variety of environments incommunication networks, such as private networks between devices, publicnetworks between devices, or combinations of private and publicnetworks. A drone may travel large distances over varying terrainincluding roadways. Therefore, drone mobility may require communicationsto be maintained while the drone is travelling to and from adestination.

While the various components coupled to the control unit 104 are shownas separate components, it is also possible for at least some of thecomponents such as the processor, the motor control unit, the radiomodule, and possibly other units, to be integrated together in a singledevice or chip.

Other components may also be included in the drone 102 for use in theconnection with the security drone of the present invention. Such othercomponents include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) infraredand visible light camera 110; (2) microphone 118; (3) speakers 120; (4)LED flashlight/LED strobe light 122; and/or (6) altitude/other sensors124.

Turning to FIG. 2, a block diagram 200 of example of components of adrone base 202 for powering, storing and communicating with a drone 102is depicted in accordance with an example implementation of theinvention. Elements of the drone base 202 include the chargingport/power 210, battery level monitor 206, solar power plugin port 214,power supply with backup battery 216, drone antennae 218, WiFitransceiver and antennae 212, internet interface/port 226,processor/controller 220 with memory 222 storing instructions andoperating system, audio content, and speakers 224. Optional elements ofthe base include additional heavy duty back-up batteries 228, windspeed, humidity, and/or other sensors 204, door control 230, GPSreceiver/satellite antennae 232, alarms and strobe light, and videorecorder such as a digital video recorder (DVR) 236. For a communicationhub, the system may use a local or, optionally, a cloud based server incommunication with the base, the drone or both.

The base may operate as the central data processor of the buildingsecurity system. It can also be the charging station for the drone 102and the communication hub between the end user (i.e. smart device usedby an end user) and the drone 102. Drone instructions and audio may bedigitized and uploaded to the memory 222. The internet and powerconnections are made with the base using standard cabled internet, WiFi,4G, or similar internet communication approaches. The end user canmonitor activity and send commands to the base 202 and drone 102 usingan internet connected device, such as a computer or smart device.

Certain components, like motions and wind sensors 204, alarms/strobelights 234 provide security to the drone base 202 and are optional. Forexample, the motion sensors 204 may detect when the drone base 202 ismoved. The drone base 202 will optionally turn on an alarm sound andstrobe light in the event of detected motion of the drone base 202. Thedrone base 202 may then alert a smart device in the control of the enduser of detected motion activity of drone base 202.

The drone base 202 may perform the following functions:

-   -   Monitors level of drone batteries.    -   Shuts off charging when drone batteries are full.    -   Monitors main power supply.    -   Alerts end user of disruption in main power supply to base.    -   Connects base to batteries in event of loss of main power        supply.    -   Alerts end user of decision to connect to base batteries.    -   Monitors battery level of base batteries.    -   Alerts end user that base battery level is low.    -   Connects solar panels to charge base batteries.    -   Alerts end user of decision to connect solar panels to base        batteries.    -   Monitors health of base and drone batteries.    -   Alerts end user of poor battery health.    -   Monitors wind speed.    -   Commands drone to return to crater in event of high wind speed.    -   Monitors humidity sensors.    -   Commands drone to return to crater in event of snow/rain.    -   Alert end user of decision to return drone/prevent from launch        due to severe weather conditions.    -   Commands base doors to open and close during drone launch and        return.    -   Alert end user of door malfunction.    -   Commands drone to not launch in event of base door jam.    -   Commands drone to land at secondary location in event of bade        door jam.    -   Monitors connection to WiFi, cell tower, satellite, drone and        signal strength.    -   Commands base to connect to alternate internet in event of        signal loss.    -   Alerts end user of decision to connect to alternate internet        connection.    -   Commands drone to fly closer to base in event of poor        communication signal.    -   Commands drone to change flight path.    -   Transmits manual operation commands to drone.    -   Transmits drone camera data to built-in DVR, external DVR, or        cloud server.    -   Transmits drone audio data to built-in DVR, external DVR, or        cloud server.    -   Transmits prerecorded audio to drone.    -   Receives live audio from drone.    -   Transmits live audio to drone.    -   Analyzes drone camera data for suspicious objects.    -   Commands drone to take a predetermined action in response to        suspicious object.    -   Commands drone to turn on strobe light.    -   Commands drone to play preselected audio stored on drone.    -   Commands drone to follow suspicious object within a geo fence.    -   Alerts end user of suspicious object detection.    -   Receives drone sensor data.    -   Analyzes drone sensor data.    -   Monitors Ethernet internet connection.    -   Alerts end user of malfunction of any base hardware.    -   Integrates with security access panel, burglar, fire, and access        control systems.    -   Alerts end user in event of motion activity detected by building        system.    -   Commands drone to fly to location of detected motion activity.    -   Monitors base heat and motion sensors.    -   Commands base alert sound and strobe light to turn on in event        of detected heat or motion activity near base.    -   Commands drone to launch, observe, and record detected heat or        motion activity near base.    -   Alerts end user of detected heat or motion activity near base.

Setup of the security drone system (drone 102 and drone base 202)involves identifying a GPS location for each component or element(windows, doors, gates, fire alarms, cameras, motion sensors etc.) ofthe existing security, fire, and access control systems. Security taskcommands originate from the end user through the interface and from theexisting security systems.

When one of the components of the existing security system is activated,it sends a command to the security drone 102/security drone base 202.The security drone 102 leaves the drone base 202, or its predeterminedflight path, and flies to the GPS coordinates of the activatedcomponent. The drone 102 records video and audio of the component andtransmits a live feed to the smart device or computer of the end user.

The drone 102 sends a notification to the smart device/computer throughone or more of the interfaces. The drone 102 continues to record videoand audio of the component until the end user commands the drone toreturn to base, perform another security task, or the drone 102 runs lowon battery in which case it will automatically return to the drone base202.

In FIG. 3, a diagram 300 of the drone base 202 of FIG. 2 with aplurality of doors 306-310 is depicted in accordance with an exampleimplementation. The drone base 202 with a plurality of doors to houseand charge the drone 102 is depicted with the doors 304-308 beingclosable in order to protect the drone 102 from the elements andanimals. In an example embodiment, the drone 102 can descend into thedrone base 202. The inside of the base may be shaped like a cone. At thebottom of the cone, wheels may be located in the walls to guide thedrone and give it freedom to fly out of the base. The base charging portis at the bottom of the cone. When the drone 102 lands in the drone base202, the charging port of the power unit 106 on the drone 102automatically connects to the charging port/power 210 in the drone base202. When the drone 102 descends into the drone base 202, the entirebody of the drone may be housed beneath the rim of the drone base 202.In other implementations, the drone 102 may attach to a drone basewithout being enclosed by the drone base 202. In yet otherimplementation, the drone 102 may be locked or securely clamped orconnected to the drone base 202 while connected to the base. Theprocessor/controller 220 of the drone base 202 may control the clamps.

Further, drone base doors 304-310 are an optional component. Whenprovided, they open and close to allow the drone 102 to be containedwithin the drone base 202 and to exit the drone base 202. The drone base202 can command the doors 304-310 to open and close during the launchand return of the drone 102 in response to the processor/controller 220.The drone base 202 can alert a smart device associated with the end userof doors 304-310 malfunction and can provide a signal to the drone 102to not launch. The drone base 202 can further command the drone 102 toland at a secondary location or secondary drone base.

Turning to FIG. 4, an illustration 400 a block diagram of a smart devicein accordance with and example implementation of the invention. Acontroller 104 is coupled to a memory 106, sensors 108, GPS receiver110, transceiver 112, display 114, and user interface 416 bycommunication and electrical bus 424. The controller 404 executes aplurality of instructions stored in operating system memory 418 thatoperates smart device 402. The instructions for a drone controlapplication are stored in application memory 420 and executed bycontroller 404. In response to the instructions, the user interface 416accepts input for the user, display 414 displays results and notifiesthe user of information that is needed. Sensors 408 may include sensorsthat detect temperature, wind speed, altitude, etc. GPS receiver 410receives location data and may also determine speed, direction, andaltitude of the drone along with changes in speed, direction andaltitude. The transceiver 412 enables the smart device to communicatevia WiFi/Bluetooth/cellular (i.e. 3G, 4G, GSM) with a network or cloud.

In FIG. 5, an illustration 500 of a graphical user interface (GUI) 502displayed on the smart device 402 of FIG. 4 is depicted in accordancewith and example implementation of the invention. The graphical userinterface 502 is a main menu for controlling the drone security system(drone 102 and drone base 202). At the main menu 502, a user is able toselect alerts 504, control drone manually 506, predetermined flight path508, drone security settings 510, and drone status 512.

In FIG. 6, an illustration 600 of a GUI 602 displayed on a smart device402 of FIG. 4 for setting a predetermined flight path is depicted inaccordance with an example implementation. A GPS defined flight path isdefined by a user and assigned an identifier. In the predeterminedflight path GUI 602, a new flight path 604 for drone 102 may be defined.The new flight path name 608 is entered, the identifier of the GPSdefined flight path an altitude for the flight path are entered 610. Atime period 612 for the execution of the flight path is entered alongwith the frequency 614 of flights during the time period. A level ofsecurity alert scan 616 is set (indicating the level of alert that thedrone system must be at to trigger the flight path). Check pointsidentified in the GPS defined flight path may be manually indicated 618in the definition of the flight path 604 and cause the drone 102 tocheck those checkpoints first. Upon completion of the new flight path604 definition, the new flight path is stored and displayed in thestored flight paths 606 list, such as “flight path 1” 620 and “flightpath 2” 622. In other implementations, a confirmation button may appearprior to the storing of a new flight path 604 definition in the storedflight paths 606 list.

Turning to FIG. 7, an illustration 700 of a GUI 702 displayed on a smartdevice of FIG. 4 for monitoring the drone status is depicted inaccordance with an example implementation of the invention. The dronestatus GUI 702 displays the current GPS coordinates 704 of drone 102 andbased upon drone data received from the drone 102. A map 706 may also beprovided that illustrates the drone 102 location on a digital map. Themap 706 may also depict other items such as structures, drone base 202,and checkpoints. In yet other implementations, digital images (such asvegetation, structures, points of interest, sensor events) may besuperimposed over map 706 providing additional information. The dronebattery level 708 is provided and may be displayed as volts, time beforebeing drained, flight time remaining or a combination of batteryinformation to give but a few examples. In other implementations, thedisplayed battery level may have been reduced by a safety margin toassure power for the drone 102 to successfully return to base. Thesafety margin may be determined by a calculation of the battery powerrequired for the flight path from the furthest checkpoint to the dronebase 202. Additional drone battery condition 710 information isdisplayed in GUI 702 also and may include information such as, currentdraw, battery condition indicator, charging status, etc.).

The current network or drone WiFi connection 712 may also be depicted inthe GUI 702 and indicate the identity of the wireless network and typeof security for the network. current environmental conditions such asDrone Altitude 714, temperature 716, wind speed 718, humidity 720, andother sensor data such as light, predetermined sound pitch (such asbreaking glass, etc.)

In FIG. 8, an illustration 800 of a GUI displayed on a smart device 402of FIG. 4 for alerts 802 in accordance with an example implementation ofthe invention. The different alerts generated by the drone 102 or dronebase 202 are displayed in the alerts GUI 802. Additionally, alertoptions 806 may be accessed to turn “on” or “off” categories of alerts.Furthermore, the drone 102 may be instructed to return to base 808,manual control GUI accessed 810 or other predefined/user defined tasksGUI accessed 812.

Turning to FIG. 9, an illustration 900 of a GUI 902 displayed on a smartdevice 102 of FIG. 4 for the drone security settings is depicted inaccordance with an example implementation of the invention. Alert sounds904 may be uploaded and set, a GPS location of a secondary landinglocation 906 is identified, GPS geo fencing identifiers are selectable908. The identifier of GPS security components 910 may also beidentified. The identifier may be GPS coordinates, or in otherimplementations a file identifier of a file of security componentlocations may be identified to the drone security system. GPS locationof areas of interest 912 may also be entered using the GUI 902. Further,GPS location of hazardous flight path objects may be entered at input914. Security exceptions input 916, DVR location 918, and a button toaccess DVR data 920 are also available in the drone security settingsGUI 902.

In FIG. 10, an illustration of a GUI 1002 displayed on a smart device402 of FIG. 4 for control of the drone 102 manually is depicted inaccordance with an example implementation of the invention. The drone102 may be launched manually by selecting “Launch Drone 1004, if thedrone 102 is not already flying. If the drone 102 is already flying,then manual control of the drone 102 may be asserted by selecting the“Begin Manual Control” button 1006. A view of a live video feed 1008 isalso provided in GUI 1002 selectable from the available cameras on drone102 (visible Camera 1010 and infrared Camera 1012). The manual controlsof the drone 1014 include being able to manually move the drone left1016, right 1018, forward 1020, back 1022, spin 1024, altitude up 1026and altitude down 1028.

Similarly, manual control may be asserted over the camera with thecamera control 1020 in GUI 1002. The selected camera, if on a gimbal orother movable device (electrically or optically) may be moved left 1032,right 1034, up 1036, and down 1038. Furthermore, an LED Flashlight 1040or other light may be lite or made to strobe 1042. A microphone may beactivated providing live audio to the smart device 402 by selecting the“Listen to Live Audio” button 1044. A speaker may be activated on thedrone 102 by selecting the “Live talk through Speaker” button enablingstreaming audio to be sent and played at the drone 102.

Once setup of the drone security system is complete and the drone base202 is connected to the internet or other network, security accesspanel, burglar, fire, or access control system, a user must personallyset the preferred default security settings for the drone 102 and dronebase 202 actions. These default settings include the alarm sound that isplayed through the drone base 202 speakers 224, the alarm sound orpre-recorded message that is played through drone 102 speakers 120, thesecondary landing location of drone 102, drone 102 actions in responseto suspicious objects (including following the object while the objectremains in geo fence), drone 102 action in response to detected heat ormotion activity near the drone base 202, time or frequency of droneflight patterns, the GPS coordinates and altitude of drone flight path,and drone action in response to building burglar, fire, or accesscontrol alarms using the different GUIs.

The user interacts with a mobile app on smart device 402, web page, or aPC connected directly to the drone base 202. The user sees real-timedata from the drone base 202 sensors 204 and monitoring capabilities.The user is able to see real-time data from drone 102 camera 110,microphone 118, GPS 116, and sensors 124. The user at their smart device402 or computer receives alerts from the drone base 202. The userchooses an action using their smart device or computer after receivingalert of suspicious object detection. The user can manually control thedrone's 102 flight path, altitude, camera direction, speaker sounds, LEDflashlight, and LED strobe light. The user can transmit live audio todrone 102 speakers 120. The user can also access DVR data from theirsmart device 402 or computer.

The drone 102 may operate using a preprogrammed flight path. Operationbased upon a preprogrammed flight path is optional. The user can programthe drone 102 to remain in the drone base 202 until an alert of one ofthe existing building security, fire, or access control systemcomponents occurs. The drone base 202 connects to all existing buildingalarm systems. These systems send a notification to the drone base 202that an alarm has been activated. Example alerts include motion sensors,cameras, windows, doors, gates, fire alarms, etc. Setup involves a GPSlocation for each component of the existing building alarm system. Thedrone 102 automatically leaves the drone base 202 and flies to the GPScoordinates of the security component alert. The drone 102 will send anotification to the smart device 402 or computer associated with theuser that it is at the location. The drone 102 maintains its distancefrom the component while recording and transmitting live video and audiofeeds of the component to the smart device 402 or computer of the user.The drone 102 can continue to transmit information to these feeds untilit receives a command to stop the transmissions. The user can commandthe drone 102 to turn on its strobe lights or an alarm sound using thesmart device 401. If the drone 102 runs low on battery it willautomatically return to the drone base 202 or an alternate drone base torecharge.

The drone 102 is optionally programmed to follow a predetermined flightpath to perform security and surveillance tasks. This flight path may bealong the perimeter of a building or property and other “areas ofinterest.” This may include entry ways or storage locations.

The drone 102 is configured to aim its camera's 110 at these “areas ofinterest” while the drone 102 travels along its predetermined flightpath. Multiple cameras may be employed on drone 102 and target both thearea of interest and get a 360 degree view. There may be multiple “areasof interest” along the drone's predetermined flight path. The cameracontroller that controls the direction of the camera 110 willautomatically point in the direction of the “area of interest” until thedrone 102 determines if there is any suspicious activity in the area ofinterest before aiming at a different area of interest. The drone 102may be configured to know when specific areas should be unoccupied atspecific times. The drone 102 can also know exceptions for activitieslike trash pickup times. The drone control unit 104 coordinates betweenthe GPS location of the drone 102 and the GPS location of the specificobject to keep the specific camera pointed at while the drone 102continues moving along its predetermined flight path.

The predetermined flight path may be interrupted. If the camera detectsmovement heat signatures in areas of interest, the drone 102 changes itsflight path to keep recording the source of movement or heat. Anotification is sent to the smart device 402 or computer associated withthe end user who can access the live video and audio feeds on thecomputer or smart device 402, or command the drone 102 to continue alongits predetermined flight path in the case of a false alarm.

The drone 102 may issue a laser to determine the distance to the sourceobject. The drone 102 remains a predetermined distance from the sourceobject. The drone 102 automatically follows the object while avoidinghazardous objects. Hazardous objects are configured at set up so thedrone 102 automatically avoids them. The drone 102 also avoids hazardousobjects automatically using sensors.

The drone 102 follows the object while maintaining altitude and distancefrom the object and while the object remains within the geo fence. Thegeo fence is a specified boundary that is defined during set up. Thedrone 102 will not fly outside the geo fence and alerts or other alarmswill be initiated if the drone 102 does move outside the geo fence.

If the source of movement or heat travels outside the geo fence, thedrone 102 will stop at the geo fence and continue to record the videoand audio of the source. When the camera 110 can no longer detect thesource, the drone 102 begins a “security alert scan” in the currentimplementation. The drone 102 will not return to its predeterminedflight path and instead fly in a pattern around the area that theoriginal source left the geo fence in order to detect any additionalsources of movement or heat.

The drone 102 can be setup to perform security alert scans for aspecified period of time before returning to a predetermined flight pathor continue performing security alert scans until it receives a commandfrom the end user or runs low on battery power. Whenever the drone 102observes a new source it alerts the user and follows the source.

The user can command the drone 102 to perform additional security alertscans or to return to one or more predetermined flight paths. The usermay also toggle two-way communication so that voice audio can be sentand received through the drone. At any time the batteries run low, thedrone automatically returns to base to recharge.

The drone 102 may also be set up to play an alert sound and/or flash LEDstrobe lights automatically when it detects a source. The drone 102 isalso able to track objects moving toward it. The drone 102 produces“rapid evasive maneuvers” to dodge or fly out of the way of incomingobjects. If signal with the drone 102 is lost, the drone base 202notifies the end user. If the altimeter shows rapid descent or isdisabled entirely indicating a possible crash or that the drone 102 washit with an object but still being powered by the batteries, the dronesends an alert to the drone base 102 and/or smart device 402 or computerassociated with the user.

The drone 102 transmits the GPS coordinates of the motion/heat source inreal-time which can be seen through the GUI of smart device 402. If thedrone runs low on batteries and needs to return to drone base 202, thedrone base 202 can command another drone stored in the drone base 202 toleave the drone base 202 and fly directly to the GPS coordinate of thealert detected by drone 102.

The user is able to manually take over flying the drone 102 using thecomputer or smart device 402. This could be for the purposes ofmaintenance or inspection. The drone 102 monitors the health of itshardware. It sends a notification or alerts if something is notoperational or failure is detected. The drone 102 may pause along itsflight path for “manual inspection” of a specific “checkpoint” location.The drone 102 will send a notification to the user that it is at a“checkpoint” location. The drone will aim its camera 110 at thecheckpoint location and wait for instructions from the user. The usercan inspect the live camera and audio feed on a smart device 402 beforecommanding the drone 102 to continue its path. The drone 102 can beprogrammed to wait in this location for a specific period of time. If nocommand to resume is received, it can automatically resume itspredetermined flight path.

Turning to FIG. 11, an illustration of a block diagram 1100 of theapproach of operation of a drone 102 in a security system is depicted inaccordance with an example implementation of the invention. The approachstarts with the drone security system (drone 102 and drone base 202)being setup using a computer or smart device 401 as previously explainedin step 1102. The drone 102 is launched from the drone base 202 to fly apredetermined path in step 1104. The flight path is followed to checkpoints in step 1106. If an event occurs at a check point or along thepath, an alert, video and audio is transmitted from the drone 102 to thesmart device 402 or computer either directly or via the drone base 202in step 1108. Once the battery is low in the power unit 106 of drone 102in step 1110, it returns to the drone base 202 and is recharged in step1112. Otherwise it continues along the path and on to check points instep 1106.

It will be understood, and is appreciated by persons skilled in the art,that one or more processes, sub-processes, or process steps describedabove may be performed by hardware and/or software. If the process isperformed by software, the software may reside in software memory (notshown) in a suitable electronic processing component or system such as,one or more of the functional components or modules schematicallydepicted in FIGS. 1-5. The software in software memory may include anordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logicalfunctions (that is, “logic” that may be implemented either in digitalform such as digital circuitry or source code or in analog form such asanalog circuitry or an analog source such an analog electrical, sound orvideo signal), and may selectively be embodied in any computer-readablemedium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system,processor-containing system, or other system that may selectively fetchthe instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice and execute the instructions. In the context of this disclosure,a “computer readable medium” is any means that may contain, store orcommunicate the program for use by or in connection with the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium mayselectively be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus or device. More specific examples, but nonetheless anon-exhaustive list, of computer-readable media would include thefollowing: a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a RAM (electronic),a read-only memory “ROM” (electronic), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (electronic) and a portablecompact disc read-only memory “CDROM” (optical). Note that thecomputer-readable medium may even be paper or another suitable mediumupon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronicallycaptured, via for instance optical scanning of the paper or othermedium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitablemanner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

It will be understood that the term “in signal communication” as usedherein means that two or more systems, devices, components, modules, orsub-modules are capable of communicating with each other via signalsthat travel over some type of signal path. The signals may becommunication, power, data, or energy signals, which may communicateinformation, power, or energy from a first system, device, component,module, or sub-module to a second system, device, component, module, orsub-module along a signal path between the first and second system,device, component, module, or sub-module. The signal paths may includephysical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, electrochemical,optical, wired, or wireless connections. The signal paths may alsoinclude additional systems, devices, components, modules, or sub-modulesbetween the first and second system, device, component, module, orsub-module.

More generally, terms such as “communicate” and “in . . . communicationwith” (for example, a first component “communicates with” or “is incommunication with” a second component) are used herein to indicate astructural, functional, mechanical, electrical, signal, optical,magnetic, electromagnetic, ionic or fluidic relationship between two ormore components or elements. As such, the fact that one component issaid to communicate with a second component is not intended to excludethe possibility that additional components may be present between,and/or operatively associated or engaged with, the first and secondcomponents.

It will be understood that various aspects or details of the inventionmay be changed without departing from the scope of the invention.Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose ofillustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation—the inventionbeing defined by the claims.

The foregoing description of an implementation has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and doesnot limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed.Modifications and variations are possible in light of the abovedescription or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claimsand their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

1. A security system, comprising: a security system; a drone; and adrone base configured to communicate with the drone and automaticallydispatch the drone in response to a location of an event in the securitysystem and transmits at least video with at least one camera from thelocation of the event.
 2. The security system of claim 1, where thedrone operates within a geo fenced area.
 3. The security system of claim1, where the drone has at least one camera that is facing the locationof the event as the drone approaches the event.
 4. The security systemof claim 1, where manual control is asserted over the drone once thedrone is at the location of the event.
 5. The security system of claim1, where the drone transmits the at least video via the drone base. 6.The security system of claim 1, where a smart device receives the atleast video.
 7. A security system with a drone, comprising: a memory; anavigation unit; a radio module; a motor control unit; a camera; a powerunit adapted to connect the drone to a drone base; a microphone; aspeaker; and a controller unit coupled to the processor, the speaker,the microphone, the power unit, the radio module, the navigation unit,where the controller receives a predetermined flight path via the radiomodule and executes the predetermined flight path at a predeterminedtime.
 8. The security system with the drone of claim 7, where the radiomodule sends an alert if an event at a location occurs while followingthe predetermined flight path.
 9. The security system with the drone ofclaim 8, where the event results in the drone waiting at the locationfor manual control for a predetermined time period.
 10. The securitysystem with the drone of claim 9, the camera is directed towards a checkpoint along the predetermined path as the drone approaches that checkpoint.
 11. The security system with the drone of claim 8, where a cameracaptures a video image and transmits it via the radio module.
 12. Thesecurity system with the drone of claim 11, where the radio moduletransmits the video image to a digital video recorder (DVR).
 13. Thesecurity system with the drone of claim 8, where a second camera isactivated in response to receiving a signal via the radio module. 14.The security system with the drone of claim 8, where the drone returnsto a drone base in response to the power unit needing to be recharged.15. A security system method, comprising: configuring a drone base withlocation information associated with a traditional alarm system;defining for a drone at least one flight path with one or more checkpoints along the flight path; sending the drone from the drone basealong the predetermined flight path; rerouting the drone to a locationassociated with the traditional alarm system in response to the dronebase receiving notification from the traditional alarm system;generating video from a camera located on the drone at the locationassociated with the traditional alarm system; and transmitting the videofrom the drone.
 16. The security system method of claim 15, wheresending the drone further includes sending the drone at a predeterminedtime along the predetermined flight path.
 17. The security system methodof claim 15, where the system includes limiting the operation of thedrone within a geo fenced area.
 18. The security system method of claim15, where the system includes directing the camera at the location asthe drone approaches the location.
 19. The security system method ofclaim 15, where the system includes asserting manual control over thedrone once the drone at the location.
 20. The security system method ofclaim 1, where the system includes returning the drone to the drone basewhen a predetermined power level is detected.